Yellow Perch fishing at Mills Lake

Spring yellow perch on Mills Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 8 to 27 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 27 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 26 ft, rated prime for fall yellow perch. Best bite is early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Mills Lake

In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 15 ft, rated prime for fall northern pike. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Mills Lake

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 8 to 27 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 27 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 15 ft, rated prime for winter smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Mills Lake

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 27 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 6 ft that scores prime in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Rock Bass fishing at Mills Lake

Spring rock bass on Mills Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 5 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 27 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for rock bass in summer. Plan around the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig gets it done.

Crappie fishing at Mills Lake

In spring, crappie run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 25 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 27 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 26 ft, rated prime for winter crappie. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

How deep is Mills Lake?

Mills Lake is about 27 ft at its deepest point. The depth chart here comes from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the contours reflect measured depths.

What fish are in Mills Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, common carp, rock bass, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead on Mills Lake. This isn't a survey of the lake — none is on record for it — but an informed estimate from the species listed for the nearest surveyed lakes in the region, filtered to this lake's depth and habitat.

Where is the best fishing spot on Mills Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 26 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Mills Lake?

For yellow perch, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.